Are you seeing your Family this Christmas?

Question

I haven't seen my children, or grandchildren for 2 years. They were last up for my 60th birthday.
I am really sad that I won't see any of them this Christmas.
My three children all own dogs and so do we. We don't know how they would get on. None of the kids have room to put us up anyway and, even if we could visit, how do you split yourself between Kent, Surrey and Dorset?

Swift ashtray! I am not sure about your name but thanks for your sweet thoughts!

Gladys, you have a helluva wonderful time. I hope you escape the snow!

Teresa, my problems with kennels is that Holly was a rescue dog. Not a problem in itself but she was in overflow kennels and there were only 2 dogs there. The conditions weren't nice, she used to eat her own faeces because she was so hungry. She weighed 13kg when we got her, she is now a healthy 19kg. We don't know what she went through in kennels but she is terrified of thunder and loud bangs as are a lot of dogs but she can sense when it will rain and cowers in a corner. She is also afraid of the wind. We just wonder how horrific her experience was in kennels and how much would it damage her?

Answer 1

awww im sorry ur so sad, but loads of people have this problem every year, why cant u make a compromise each year? thats what we do, one year we go over to the family and stay in a b+b for a few days and then the following year we switch, the dogs cud stay at a dogs sanctuary, (a decent one) OR u could all meet half way, or plan an xmas holiday for all the family and animals for next xmas? its hard if u live apart from each other, but there is always away around it, if u want it badly enough, i hope ive helped :) take care ~krissy~ x0x0x0x

Answer 2

I'm sure I'll see the majority of my family at some point during the holidays. I have two siblings living in the same town, and my sister always has an open house the day after Christmas. The brother, on the other hand, might be out of town visiting his own children.

We expect to see our own children and grandchildren and even the greats. Some will come here, some we'll have to go see.

I accept the fact that my children have their own lives to live, and they've been cut off financially, so we know that when they come to visit, it's not for a "loan." None of us depends on the others for meeting expectations. We have three cats, and boarding them with the vet is expensive. We never go visiting unless we can return the same night or get my daughter to petsit.

SADISTIC BONDAGELOVER has an excellent suggestion.

Answer 3

It is pretty sad that your children and grandchildren will not be with you for Christmas.

We have a similar problem, four locations, but much farther apart (UK, US, France, Germany).

So we work out one time in the year, where it would fit for most of us to converge - wherever and whenever.

Young people usually work at a frantic pace until the day before Christmas and to squeeze in a trip to a kennel and load the car with kids and gifts and then hit the road is truly quite hectic. So why not celebrate a family union when everybody has agreed to set aside a day or two in summer, when travelling is easier as well?

I started getting involved in local charity groups, there are plenty of people who are alone over Christmas and who would be pleased to have another lonely soul share that time with him or her. Who know: maybe a wonderful friendship will spring from that and your children won't feel guilty about not being with you both during the holidays!

And if this is not your cup of tea: try visiting your children for Christmas in turns, if they invite you to do so. When we visit, we often stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast closeby - this way it is easier for the children and easier on us as well, we don't feel we put an extra burden on their busy schedule and the day is long enough to help, if help is needed, and to enjoy a wonderful dinner together.

I do hope you will find a solution that will all of you make happy and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Answer 4

There are so many sadnesses on this Q, that I am almost scared to tell that after being estranged from one of my sons, he has re-entered my life. His close friend is dying from cancer and will most likely be gone before Christmas. This has made my son realise that he does want me in his life after all. He called me yesterday and asked if he could see me. I am overjoyed that I am to see his baby next week for the first time. I truly do appreciate my blessings and hope for all of you that life will be kind. By the way, if you really want to spend time together, get a place from Pets Welcome book, available at all good bookshops. There are holiday cottages, farms, even hotels where you can take pets. If you choose one that also has kennel space in the grounds, you can still enjoy your pets' company and keep them with you over the holiday period. Happy Christmas....that's the first time I've said that this year :-)

Answer 5

I'll be commiserating with you. I have one son who won't speak to me -- long stupid story, but he's not ready to reconcile -- the other son and his wife have decided that my sisters look down on them because they're poor and won't come to family occasions anymore. So Christmas morning will be without my own children, but my dad, sisters, one brother-in-law, one niece and 2 nephews will be having a nice brunch at my house.

My grandson isn't in the mix either. My son and the mother broke up before they knew she was pregnant. She has a boyfriend and together they have two more children. I haven't seen them since last Christmas. They've moved in the last few weeks, and I don't know where they are. Her phone was shut off for non-payment, and now the birthday presents I sent were returned.

So, if I was you, I'd find a place for all those dogs to go for a couple days and get your family together. Although we're not old, you never know when there won't be another Christmas for someone.

Answer 6

It will just be us and our 17yr old daughter together at Christmas. Our other daughter and our 2 grandsons live a good distance away and we don't like going out in the car on Christmas day coz of drink drivers. Tc's family are scattered around the country but they aren't close and as far as my family are concerned....my mother hasn't spoken to me in around 10 years, I haven't seen my sister in 24 yrs (last saw her when our eldest was born) and I've not seen my brother in over 25/26 years....my sister sends me a Birthday card every year and Christmas cards. We have lost dear friends over the Christmas hols over the years and Tc's father died 14th December, cremated 22nd December 14 years ago. We've not done the whole Christmas thing for a long,long time. We have a dog too who is from a rescue centre and would hate to have to put her in kennels to visit people or them visit us. The Christmas season causes a lot of people a lot of heartache......and it's supposed to be a happy time!!

Answer 7

Find friends on all your parts to take care of the dogs or if this is not possible, put the dogs in a kennel. You should book some rooms at a hotel and either you stay in between all 3 destinations so they are all basically within easy reach and you can visit them all at different times. Or all of you stay in a hotel so you can all spend time together. Life's to short. Go for it, and my heart and thoughts go out to you.

-x-

Answer 8

that's alright to stay residing house on Christmas, i've got accomplished it, and it grew to become right into a delightful experience. the concern is I introduced it early, like some weeks ahead. I noted as family contributors and reported, "i'm sitting out Christmas this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days." If extremely anyone asked why I reported, "that's not that i do no longer want to be there, that's that i might want to stay residing house, burn incense, hear to music, curl up with a sturdy e book and revel in a tumbler of wine or 2." on your situation that's a final minute selection. And little doubt my answer is basically too previous due. yet for destiny reference, in case you want to lower back out, my suggestion is: that's too previous by way of lower back out. it may well be impolite, and you're meant to be the extra advantageous one. So get lots of relax the night earlier, and as you bypass to mattress visualize your self on the get-mutually enjoying it cool. as quickly as there, do no longer consume any alcohol. Be careful of any remark, question, or action that instigates: basically do no longer react. you may arrive early, yet do no longer depart previous due. whilst it's time to depart, practice to make a tender go out, no fanfare. earlier asserting your goodbyes positioned on your coat, and basically then start up asserting your goodbyes. If extremely anyone tries to cajole you to stay, respond with, "i might like to, the concern is I easily have little or no deliberate for day after today and that i want to get an early start up." with any luck you would be fifty feet faraway from the residing house earlier extremely anyone figures out that what you reported makes extremely no experience.

Answer 9

Having an animal I won't board, I do understand your dilemma...is there not a neighbor or friend who would feed and walk the dogs?

I know you must wish to see your family - especially during the holidays...it would be nice if they could come to you and make arrangements for their doggies?

All my children and grands live in my area, so that is not a problem for us - although there have been times when we were up against it so to speak trying to take vacations when none of us family members were available to watch pets... NONE of us board - for many of the same reasons you don't...our pets were all adopted and had led rather rough lives prior to becoming our family members :-)

Answer 10

My daughter is getting married Dec. 22 so we will be going there for that and not sure if we will stay until christmas or not. A lot will depend on the weather and driving conditions too.